School Lunch Program

About the Federal Income Guidelines for Free Lunch
By Mandi Titus, eHow Contributor

Free lunches must meet the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.   The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the income eligibility requirements for children receiving free lunches at public schools. Families must fall under the income requirements to be eligible for program enrollment.

Requirements

• The exact income requirements for families whose children qualify for free lunch vary each year, though family income must be at, or under, 130 percent of the current poverty level. According to the USDA, the income level for a family of four must fall below $28,665, as of the 2010-2011 school year.

Reduced Prices

• Families falling between 130 and 185 percent of the current poverty level qualify for reduced-price lunches, costing 40 cents or less as of October, 2010, notes the USDA. A family of four must make under $40,793 annually for the 2010-2011 school year to qualify for the program's reduced lunch prices.

Potential

• Communities where over 50 percent of the children receive free lunch during the school year are eligible for the Seamless Summer Program, which provides free meals to all of the community's children, regardless of income level. The program may be offered at a school, migrant site, camp or other community location.

References:
United States Department of Agriculture: National School Lunch Program
United States Department of Agriculture: Food and Nutrition Services: Seamless Summer Option
Resources
United States Department of Agriculture: School Meals-2010-2011 Income Eligibility